43

of these things and that to Moab is promised the grace of the calling through the regeneration of the laver. Since, indeed, such things are promised to Moab, it leaves us to understand the same things also concerning the other nations. The following prophecy makes it clear. For the Idumeans were from the hated Esau. I will therefore cast my shoe upon that very land of the hated one; I will therefore tread upon the ancient enemies, placing them in the land of friends. Who will lead me into a fortified city? or who will guide me as far as Idumea? Is it not you, who cast us off? The prophet, having learned of the calling of the nations, also through the 59th psalm blesses those deemed worthy to see the things concerning the Jews, praying to be one of them. And the word, "Fortified," Symmachus rendered "Fenced about," which is the Church. And he prays also to come into Idumea, upon which he will stretch out the shoe and the grace that will be given to the nations. And the phrase, "Is it not you," Symmachus rendered, "If not you, O God," who no longer allies with us, but has made us slaves. For we are not defeated, when you are our general. But even then, when others have been cast out by your power, we will be of the blessed portion, being strengthened through you. Therefore he also added: And will you not go forth, O God, with our forces? But Symmachus has: And not having gone forth, God, in our campaigns? For we were never defeated when you were general and leading the phalanx. Give us help from trouble, Lord; for the help of man is vain. In God we will do valiantly, and he will bring our enemies to nothing. Cease, therefore, the grievous things, and extend your aid; for it is not possible to obtain this from anywhere else. For every alliance from men, if you do not cooperate, is vain and useless. For this very reason we call upon your providence. For through this alone will we be able to overcome our enemies, in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

43

τούτων καὶ τῷ Μωὰβ ἐπαγγέλλεσθαι τὴν χάριν τῆς κλήσεως διὰ τῆς τοῦ λουτροῦ παλιγγενεσίας. Ἐπειδὴ δὴ τῷ Μωὰβ τοιαῦτα ἐπαγγέλλεται, ἡμῖν καταλιμπάνει νοεῖν καὶ περὶ τῶν λοιπῶν ἐθνῶν τὰ ὅμοια. ∆ηλοῖ δὲ τῶν ἑξῆς ἡ προαγόρευσις. Ἰδουμαῖοι γὰρ ἦσαν ἀπὸ τοῦ μεμισημένου Ἡσαῦ. Ἐπιβαλῶ οὖν τὸ ὑπόδημά μου ἐπ' αὐτὴν ἐκείνην τὴν τοῦ μεμισημένου χώραν· ἐπιβήσομαι οὖν τοῖς πάλαι ἐχθροῖς, ἐν χώρᾳ φίλων κατατάσσων αὐτούς. Τίς ἀπάξει με εἰς πόλιν περιοχῆς; ἢ τίς ὁδηγήσει με ἕως τῆς Ἰδουμαίας· Οὐχὶ σὺ, ὁ ἀπωσάμενος ἡμᾶς; Μαθὼν ὁ προφήτης τὴν τῶν ἐθνῶν κλῆσιν, καὶ διὰ τοῦ νθʹ ψαλμοῦ μακαρίζει τοὺς ἀξιουμένους ἰδεῖν τὰ περὶ τῶν Ἰουδαίων, εὐχόμενος εἷς ὑπάρχειν αὐτῶν. Τὸ δὲ, Περιοχῆς, Περιπεφραγμένην ἐξέδωκε Σύμμαχος, ἥτις ἐστὶν, ἡ Ἐκκλησία. Εὔχεται δὲ καὶ εἰς τὴν Ἰδουμαίαν ἐλθεῖν, ἐφ' ἣν ἐκτενεῖ τὸ ὑπόδημα καὶ τὴν χάριν τὴν δοθησομένην τοῖς ἔθνεσι. Τὸ δὲ, Οὐχὶ σὺ, Εἰ μὴ σὺ ὁ Θεὸς, ἐξέδωκε Σύμμαχος, ὁ μηκέτι συμμαχῶν ἡμῖν, ἀλλὰ δούλους ποιήσας. Οὐ γὰρ ἡττώμεθα, σοῦ στρατηγοῦντος ἡμῶν. Πλὴν καὶ τότε τῇ σῇ δυνάμει ἄλλων ἀποβληθέντων, ἡμεῖς τῆς μακαρίας μερίδος ἐσόμεθα διὰ σοῦ δυναμούμενοι. ∆ιὸ καὶ ἐπήνεγκε· Καὶ οὐκ ἐξελεύσῃ, ὁ Θεὸς, ἐν ταῖς δυνάμεσιν ἡμῶν; Ὁ δὲ Σύμμαχος· Καὶ μὴ προελθὼν Θεὸς ἐν ταῖς στρατεύσεσιν ἡμῶν; Οὐ γὰρ ἡττήθημεν πώποτέ σου στρατηγοῦντος καὶ τῆς φάλαγγος ἡγουμένου. ∆ὸς ἡμῖν βοήθειαν ἐκ θλίψεως, Κύριε· καὶ ματαία σωτηρία ἀνθρώπου. Ἐν τῷ Θεῷ ποιήσομεν δύναμιν, καὶ αὐτὸς ἐξουδενώσει τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ἡμῶν. Παῦσον τοίνυν τὰ λυπηρὰ, καὶ τὴν σὴν ῥοπὴν ὄρεξον· οὐδαμόθεν γὰρ ἄλλοθεν τούτου τυχεῖν δυνατόν. Πᾶσα γὰρ ἡ παρὰ ἀνθρώπων συμμαχία, σοῦ μὴ συν-εργοῦντος, ματαία καὶ ἄχρηστος. ∆ιά τοι τοῦτο τὴν σὴν ἐπικαλούμεθα πρόνοιαν. ∆ιὰ ταύτης γὰρ μόνης περιγενέσθαι τῶν δυσμενῶν δυνησόμεθα, ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ τῷ Κυρίῳ ἡμῶν, ᾧ ἡ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας. Ἀμήν.